- WBGG (AM)
Infobox Radio station
name = WBGG
city =Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
area =Pittsburgh metropolitan area
branding = "Fox Sports Radio 970"
slogan =
airdate = 1945
frequency = 970 (kHz)
format = Sports Talk
power = 5,000watt s (unlimited)
class = B
facility_id = 59960
owner =Clear Channel Communications
webcast = [http://www.fox970.com/cc-common/streaming_new/index.html?refreshed=yes Listen Live]
website = [http://www.fox970.com/ www.fox970.com]
callsign_meaning = PittsBurGh (The second G subsitutes for the H)WBGG is a
sports radio station based inPittsburgh, Pennsylvania , owned byClear Channel Communications . The station broadcasts at 970kHz with 5,000 watts day and night.History
The station was originally at 1500 (later 1490), and moved to 970 after the end of
World War II , requiring an eight-towerdirectional array to use the frequency. This large array was one of the first of its kind in the United States.For many years, this station was
WWSW with a MOR music format aimed at older adults. In the early 1970s, General Manager Charles Warner instituted a news-heavy morning show to compete with market leader KDKA. In 1980, a disastrous and abrupt format change to country music (as "Double Country") eventually resulted in the abandonment of the historic call letters and a switch to talk asWTKN . Later, the WWSW calls were reclaimed.In 1988 WWSW-AM and sister
WWSW-FM simultaneously switched to separateoldies formats. Ultimately, the AM became a complete simulcast of the FM station, known as3WS . In October2000 , 970 broke away from the simulcast to become aFox Sports Radio affiliate, and at first was known as "970 The Burgh." Today, the station calls itself "Fox Sports Radio 970".The two stations had a common bond as, in addition to being co-owned, they were the flagship stations for the
Pittsburgh Penguins . The FM outlet for Penguins switched to WXDX in the 2006-07 hockey season while University of Pittsburgh football and basketball switched to WWSW. WBGG is the AM flagship station for University of Pittsburgh athletics.1In addition,
WBGG-AM , along with sister stationWDVE , is the flagship station for thePittsburgh Steelers . While WDVE originates the broadcast, the contract with the Steelers specifies that the games also be aired on an AM radio station in the market.Local programming was highlighted by former Steelers
Tunch Ilkin andCraig Wolfley in the morning 7-10a, andStan Savran hosting Savran on Sports afternoons 3-6p. However, in July 2006,Clear Channel (WBGG's parent company) replaced Savran withTim Benz and formerPittsburgh Tribune-Review writerJoe Bendel . Benz broadcasts alone from 3-4p, and Bendel is solo from 6-7p. The Ilkin-Wolfley morning show left the air during the summer of '06 when Ilkin decided to devote more time to other projects.[http://pittsburghpanthers.cstv.com/genrel/081205aab.html]
External links
* [http://www.fox970.com Official website]
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